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DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – May 2, 2018

By Jeremy Lambert

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 29: James Harden (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 29: James Harden (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 29: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket as Eric Gordon #10 screens Royce O’Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz in the second half during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 29, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Jazz-Rockets (Rockets Lead 1-0)

With only one game on the schedule, your only DraftKings option is Showdown. If you’re unfamiliar with Showdown, it’s a one game league where you have six spots, positions don’t matter, salaries are inflated from your typical leagues, and you have to select at least one player from each team.

James Harden ($17,100) got whatever he wanted in Game 1, finishing with 65.5 fantasy points. The Jazz will have to adjust their defense, but Harden has been doing this all season. Chris Paul ($12,800) once again took a backseat, but he’s always a nice fallback option. There’s reason to think Utah changes up their game plan to limit Harden, freeing things up for Paul in Game 2. It’s a pick your poison scenario for Utah and both result in the same outcome.

If Harden doesn’t have it going, Clint Capela ($11,400) becomes less attractive.
As far as value on the Rockets goes, there isn’t much in the way of guarantees. Eric Gordon ($6,600) and Trevor Ariza ($5,800) get the most opportunities. P.J. Tucker ($3,800) is coming off back-to-back 20-plus fantasy point games. But he’s been behind Gordon and Ariza in production all season. You’re going to need one of them to round out your lineup. You can ride the hot hand (Tucker), go with the highest ceiling (Gordon) or play the guy who has been most consistent (Ariza).

On the Utah side of things, Donovan Mitchell ($13,700) remains the best option. The problem is, without Ricky Rubio ($9,500), the Jazz offense isn’t quite the same. And the defense can focus in more on Mitchell. Mitchell can still get his points, but Paul is a better option at a slightly cheaper price.

Jae Crowder ($6,200) had a big Game 1. He’s always a threat to go off offensively, but he’s inconsistent. Derrick Favors ($7,400), Joe Ingles ($9,200), and Rudy Gobert ($10,800) have to be better. Gobert is the most likely option to bounce back because he can get rebounds and points. This simply isn’t a great matchup for Ingles and Favors. Royce O’Neale ($4,400) drew the start in Game 1 and makes for a salary saver who is going to get minutes.

If Rubio plays, things change for the Jazz. O’Neale becomes less attractive while the offense should get a boost. Mitchell might be the biggest beneficiary. I’m operating under the assumption that Rubio won’t play, despite being listed as a game-time decision.